Ding ding ding…
Thud thud thud…
On the partially built bridge, countless figures moved up and down like ants, busy with hammering nails, screwing bolts, and lifting planks, creating a bustling scene.
Sakura walked leisurely, swinging her pink hair, and curiously observing everything around her.
“You look pretty bored,” said Tazuna, the old man with a safety helmet, sweating as he carried a plank.
Sakura casually sat down nearby, “Sasuke and Naruto are training.”
“Aren’t you going to join them?” Tazuna asked, puzzled.
“Because I’m exceptionally talented,” Sakura closed her eyes and raised her face proudly, “I’m here to protect you.”
Tazuna glanced at her, “Is that so…”
Sakura’s expression faltered for a moment, her inner voice roaring: “Old man, what’s with that look of disbelief!”
“And where’s that boy?” Tazuna put down the plank.
“He’s behind you,” Sakura said, knowing who he meant, and pointed behind the old man.
Tazuna turned around, finding no one.
Sakura blinked, “Oh, he’s still behind you…”
Tazuna turned again, whoosh…
“He’s still behind you!” Sakura giggled, covering her mouth.
“You little rascal, are you bored?” Tazuna growled.
Whoosh!
Yukigetsu appeared before Tazuna, grinning, “Ah, no need to get angry, old man. Seeing you so energetic makes me feel at ease.”
“Feel at ease about what?” Tazuna asked, squinting.
“Since you’re still alive, I can be at ease. After all, this is a B-rank mission.” Yukigetsu shrugged lazily.
Tazuna’s face darkened.
At that moment, a man with a towel around his neck, sweating profusely, approached, “Do you have a moment… Tazuna?”
“Ah…” Tazuna wiped his sweat and asked, “What’s up, Kichi?”
“I’ve been thinking about this bridge construction…” Kichi hesitated, “Can I quit?”
Yukigetsu, sitting beside Sakura, looked up, rubbing his chin with interest.
“Why… why?” Tazuna spread his arms, incredulous, “This is so sudden… even you want to quit!”
Kichi raised his voice, “Tazuna, we’ve been friends for a long time. I want to help you, but Kado will come after us too if we do this! And if something happens to you, it will be a huge loss!”
He paused, looking down, “So I don’t want to continue…”
“How can you do this!” Tazuna clenched his fists, his wrinkles deepening, “This is our bridge. It will bring logistics and transportation to this impoverished country. Everyone believes in this, which is why we’re building it together!”
“But if we lose our lives…” Kichi yelled from behind Tazuna.
“It’s noon already… let’s stop for today.” Seeing more people watching, Tazuna waved his hand, stopping Kichi from saying more, “Kichi, you don’t need to come back.”
Yukigetsu shook his head, “Truly pitiful…”
Sakura waved her small fists, indignant, “Exactly, how can someone give up halfway?”
“I’m not talking about that…” Yukigetsu pointed at the people on the bridge, “They’re too weak, so they have to live in compromise. Being insignificant… is a sin!”
…
People moved to and fro in the midday streets, yet there was a pervasive sense of desolation.
Many wore signs saying “Willing to do anything,” wandering aimlessly, their expressions stiff, eyes lifeless like puppets. Occasionally, cries of “Stop—thief!” could be heard.
Tazuna, walking ahead, seemed unfazed by it all, “My daughter asked me to get some groceries for lunch…”
The three entered a grocery store. The shelves were almost empty, with only a few vegetables, and the staff looked lifeless.
Sakura looked around, feeling uncomfortable. How could this town be like this?
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Yukigetsu appeared behind Sakura, and with a thud, something flew out.
Sakura turned, puzzled, “What happened?”
Yukigetsu shrugged, “Nothing, probably someone trying to steal from you, so I kicked them away.”
Sakura’s face twitched. He really kicked someone away…
Leaving the store, the street was still lifeless. Sakura couldn’t hold back her confusion anymore, “What happened here?”
“Ever since Kado came, it’s been like this,” Tazuna said, carrying a bag. “The townspeople are terrified… that’s why we desperately need the bridge. It’s a symbol of courage to help the people of this country find the courage to face reality again!”
Tazuna looked ahead, eyes determined, “As long as we finish the bridge, the town and everyone can return to how it used to be!”
“Ridiculous!” the boy behind him sneered.
Tazuna turned, angry, “What did you say?”
Yukigetsu looked around at the apathetic crowd, his eyes cold, “What’s the use of courage without strength? Just marching to their deaths?”
Sakura turned to the expressionless boy, “Yukigetsu, how can you say that?”
“Weakness is the greatest sorrow. What Wave Country needs isn’t courage, but strength!” Yukigetsu pointed around, “Building the bridge isn’t about courage; it’s about accumulating money to seek protection from a great nation, hire ninjas, or even build their own ninja village. Money is essential. That’s the real path for Wave Country.”
He waved his hand dismissively, “Courage is an illusion. Only strength is real. Without power, hot-blooded idiots charging forward are just fools. Those so-called heroes are the biggest fools!”
Tazuna pushed up his glasses, stammering, “You… you make some sense, but… people need something to believe in…”
Sakura secretly watched Yukigetsu’s stern profile, biting her lip. Why was he so obsessed with strength and dismissive of others’ power, as if he only believed in himself?
She felt distant from the boy at that moment, not understanding what he wanted…
“Sakura…” Yukigetsu suddenly called.
The wind blew, making his clothes flutter.
The girl felt a bit dazed. Moments ago, he was stern; now, he was smiling. She couldn’t tell which was the real him.
“Ah… what?” Sakura stammered.
Yukigetsu tilted his head casually, “They can continue their numb lives, poor and insignificant, but at least they won’t be coveted. Being the lowest of the low has its own happiness.”
Sakura pouted, dissatisfied, “How can that be okay…”
The boy chuckled, “Why not? There’s a charm in mediocrity, in being a follower. Peaceful days await only those unwilling to submit, who relentlessly pursue strength, even if it means bloodying their heads… because on that path, ninety-nine percent will fall.”
Yukigetsu tilted his head, watching the girl curiously. Her face showed confusion. “It’s important to find your place and keep moving forward. What do you think your place is?”
“I… I don’t know…” Sakura said, bewildered.
The boy laughed softly, ruffling her hair, “That’s why you’re still kids. Think it through. Remember…”
He leaned close to her ear, smiling, “I like girls with spirit the most!”
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